Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

December 11, 1921

Died

December 24, 2016 (age 95)

Place of Birth

Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Also Known As

Betty Gleadle

IMDb

Liz Smith

Biography

Betty Gleadle (December 11, 1921 – December 24, 2016), known by the stage name Liz Smith, was an English character actress, known for her roles in BBC sitcoms, including as Annie Brandon in I Didn't Know You Cared (1975–1979), the sisters Bette and Belle in 2point4 Children (1991–1999), Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley (1994–1996) and Norma Speakman ("Nana") in The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006). She also played Zillah in Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the 1984 film A Private Function.

Filmography

2026TVReality Check: Inside America's Next Top Modelas Self - Good Day New York (archive footage)2010FilmThe Royle Family: Behind the Sofaas Self 2009FilmThe Antiques Rogue Showas Olive Greenhalgh 2008FilmCity of Emberas Granny 2008FilmFlickas Ma 2008TVLark Rise to Candlefordas Zillah 2007TVThe Graham Norton Showas Self 2006FilmThe Magic Fluteas The Old Papagena 2005FilmKeeping Mumas Mrs. Parker 2005FilmOliver Twistas Old Woman 2005FilmWallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbitas Mrs. Mulch (voice)2005FilmDead Coolas Liz 2005FilmCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryas Grandma Georgina 2004TVThe Paul O'Grady Show 2004FilmNeroas Soothsayer 2004TVImperium: Neroas Sacrilega 2003TVBetween The Sheets 2003FilmAnna Spudas Gran 2002FilmA Good Thiefas Lizzie 2002TVV Graham Nortonas Self 2001FilmThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nicklebyas Peg Sliderskew 2000FilmDonovan Quickas Granny 2000FilmA Christmas Carolas Joyce 2000FilmThe Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Espionage Escapadesas Delfina 1999FilmA Christmas Carolas Mrs. Dilber 1999TVOliver Twistas Sally 1999FilmTube Talesas Older Lady (segment "Horny")1999FilmTom's Midnight Gardenas Mrs Willows 1999TVIt's Only TV But I Like Itas Self 1999FilmAlice in Wonderlandas Miss Lory 1998TVV.I.P.as Self - Gossip Columnist 1998FilmWife of Bathas Hag 1998TVThe Royle Familyas Norma 'Nana' Speakman 1998TVSo Graham Nortonas Self 1998FilmThe Revengers' Comediesas Winnie 1998FilmAnthrakitisas Dolly 1997FilmKeep the Aspidistra Flyingas Mrs Meakin 1997TVTrial & Retribution 1996FilmAn Evening with Lily Savageas Self - Audience Member 1996FilmSecrets & Liesas Woman with Cat 1996TVKaraokeas Mrs Baglin 1995TVQueen's Noseas Grandma 1995FilmHauntedas Old gypsy woman 1995TVCrapston Villasas Delia (voice)1994TVThe Vicar of Dibleyas Letitia Cropley 1994FilmDoggin' Aroundas Mrs. Thompson 1994TVPiratesas Gran 1994TVTakin' Over the Asylumas Harriet 1993TVShooting Starsas Self 1993FilmPretty Princessas regina madre 1993FilmSon of the Pink Pantheras Marta Balls 1992FilmDakota Roadas Joan Benson 1992TVThe Young Indiana Jones Chroniclesas Delfina 1991FilmNonaas Anyula 1991TVPerformanceas Anyula 1991TVBottomas Fortune Teller 1991TV2Point4 Childrenas Bette 1990TVCluedoas Mrs. White 1990FilmNight of 100 Stars IIIas Self 1990FilmSing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Musicas Self 1990TVEl C.I.D.as Mildred 1990FilmDrowning in the Shallow Endas Agent 1989FilmThe Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Loveras Grace 1989FilmApartment Zeroas Mary Louise McKinney 1989FilmBert Rigby, You're a Foolas Mrs. Rigby 1989FilmWords of Loveas Gran 1989TVYoung Charlie Chaplinas Mrs. Greenwood 1988FilmWe Think the World of Youas Millie 1988FilmHigh Spiritsas Mrs. Plunkett 1988FilmJake's Journeyas Witch 1987FilmWhen We Are Marriedas Mrs Northrop 1987FilmLittle Dorritas Mrs. Bangham 1987TVThe Ruth Rendell Mysteriesas Lena Finn 1987TVValentine Parkas Mrs. Giles 1987FilmOn the Palmas Mrs Slatterthwaite 1986TVWorlds Beyondas Mrs Watts 1986TVThe Life and Loves of a She-Devilas Mrs. Fisher 1986TVCasualtyas Tillie 1986TVAmerican Mastersas Self 1986FilmHaremas Mrs. Pendleton 1986TVLovejoyas Florence 1985TVMann's Best Friendsas Mrs. Anstruther 1984FilmA Private Functionas Mother 1984TVThe Bill 1984FilmA Christmas Carolas Mrs. Dilber 1983TVAgatha Christie's Partners in Crimeas Hannah Macpherson 1983FilmCurse of the Pink Pantheras Marta Balls 1983TVNow And Then 1983TVMr. Rightas Gran 1983FilmFanny Hillas Mrs. Jones (uncredited)1983FilmSeparate Tablesas Miss Meacham 1982FilmTrail of the Pink Pantheras Martha Balls (archive footage)1982FilmCrystal Gazingas Lady in Pub 1982FilmMike Leigh: Making Playsas Self (archive footage)1982FilmBritannia Hospitalas Maisie 1982TVWoganas Self 1981FilmThe French Lieutenant's Womanas Mrs. Fairley 1981FilmThe Monster Clubas Villager 1980FilmSir Henry at Rawlinson Endas Lady Phillipa of Staines 1980TVThe Gentle Touchas Edna Slater 1980FilmMurder Rapas Elfie 1979FilmAgathaas Flora 1978TVAn Audience with...as Self 1977FilmThe Testing of Eric Olthwaiteas Mrs. Bag 1977FilmThe Duellistsas Fortune Teller 1977FilmThe Stick Upas Hotel Manageress 1977TVNicholas Nicklebyas Peg Sliderskew 1977FilmSpend Spend Spendas Keith's Granny 1976FilmThe Hunchback of Notre Dameas La Falourdel 1976FilmIt Shouldn't Happen to a Vetas Mrs. Dodds 1976TVThe Duchess of Duke Streetas Nanny 1976TVRipping Yarnsas Mrs. Bag 1975FilmKeep an Eye on Albertas Mrs. Oxfam 1975FilmIt's a Lovely Day Tomorrowas Vi Bell 1975TVI Didn't Know You Caredas Annie Brandon 1975FilmBreathas Mrs. Pritchett 1975TVThe Sweeneyas Mrs. Davies 1974FilmTaking Leaveas Confused Lady 1974TVBedtime Storiesas Miss Long 1973FilmJack Pointas Mrs. Matthews 1973FilmHard Labouras Mrs. Thornley 1973TVLast of the Summer Wineas Housekeeper 1972TVCrown Court 1971FilmBleak Momentsas Pat's Mother 1970TVPlay for Todayas Mrs. Thornley 1970FilmLeo the Lastas Raving Tenant (uncredited)1969TVIn Loving Memoryas Hilda Pardoe